Operations Manager - The Buckinghamshire Primary PRU

Overview

Our Operations Manager is retiring after many years at the Primary PRU, so we have a rare opportunity for a talented operational leader to join the PRU and be part of an ambitious Senior Leadership Team, focused on delivering outstanding teaching and learning, alongside strategies to support the social, emotional and mental health issues presented by our pupils.  

We are looking for a proactive and enthusiastic leader with high aspirations for themselves and others to join us.  As our Operations Manager, you will lead the strategic and operational functions necessary for the smooth running of the Primary PRU, with the ability to influence and drive excellence across finance, IT, site management, health and safety and HR alongside the development of policies and procedures.

You could be an existing operational leader within a school or business setting, looking for a new challenge or an existing School Business Manager who is looking to step up into a more strategic role. Whatever your background, we want to find someone who shares our passion and values so that the children we support have the best opportunities to succeed, despite some of the challenges they face.  If you thrive in an ever-changing environment and are motivated to make a difference in the lives of children with social, emotional and mental health challenges, then we want to hear from you.

Term time only: Yes

Salary type: Bucks Pay

Salary Details: Bucks Pay Range 9 - FTE £52312 5 days a week term time only approx - £41849

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time/Part-time

Closing date: 10/03/2026

Interviews to be held: 18/03/2026

About us

We are the Buckinghamshire Primary PRU. We support children who are finding life difficult at their mainstream school. Everyone who works for the PRU is passionate about giving the children we support the best opportunities to succeed, with a great reputation and close links with the mainstream schools in our community so that we can work together to help children overcome barriers and instil a lifelong love of learning.

You can find out more about us on our website www.bucksprimarypru.co.uk.  We are delighted that Ofsted have assessed our provision to be Outstanding across all the categories they include in their report. This can be viewed on our website.

We will offer you:

• A varied and challenging workplace
• A supportive leadership team
• A bespoke induction and training programme to suit your experience and background
• Opportunities to develop your leadership and management skills, and to have a real impact on outcomes for pupils through your leadership of others
• Last, but not least, a talented and flexible administration team, who will respond to your leadership and rise to any challenge when it comes to supporting the smooth running of the PRU

About the role

As our Operations Manager you will:

• Provide strategic leadership across all non-teaching operational functions within the PRU
• Work with SLT colleagues to deliver the PRU strategic vision and school improvement plan
• Oversee the PRU Finance Officer to deliver effective financial planning, budget management, and long term resource strategy
• Oversee the health and safety across the PRU, providing advice and support to the Teachers in Charge at each site, ensuring a safe and secure learning environments.
• Through the PRU IT and Data manager, lead on digital development, cyber security, and IT strategy
• Lead on compliance, risk management, data protection, and statutory responsibilities
• Lead capital projects, procurement, and value for money initiatives
• Provide advice and support on personnel matters
• Report to and advise the Management Committee on all operational matters
  
  

This is a role for a strategic thinker who can also deliver operational excellence day to day. Our Job description for this role is included in this advert.

This is a multi-location role covering the Primary PRU sites in Aylesbury, Wycombe and Amersham.  Your main base can be agreed on appointments, with travel between the sites as needed. 

Working at the PRU is not always easy, but then nothing worthwhile achieving ever is. Each day brings different challenges and that is why it is so rewarding to work here.

About you

We are looking for a leader who:

• Has either senior level experience in financial management and operational leadership or can demonstrate the ability to quickly learn those skills
• Can evidence the impact in their current role
• Has experience of managing teams and developing staff
• Can demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills
• Can work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Displays a high level of professional integrity
• Demonstrates excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills
• Displays professional integrity
• Has the ability to work under pressure, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines
• Has the ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively
• A positive and flexible approach to working across our three sites
• Is reflective in practices and relishes the opportunity to lead, inspire and coach others
• Is able to lead initiatives and manage change
• Is sensitive and supportive to the needs of our unique community

If you understand the education sector and school systems, that would be amazing, but we are happy to provide training (including a level 5 Apprenticeship for an Operations Manager) for the right applicant.

Other information

Please note that we will be assessing applications as we receive them. We may choose to close the advert early if we feel that we have a sufficient number of quality applicants who are suitable for the role.

A visit to one of our three sites is highly recommended to help you decide if this is the role for you. Please contact us to make a suitable appointment or alternatively, you can telephone our Head of the PRU or the PRU Operations Manager for an informal discussion about the role.

Telephone: 01296 387300

Please send completed application forms to the email address below.
Email: [email protected]

The PRU operates safe recruitment practices and checks will be made through the Disclosure and Barring Service. All applications must be on Bucks Council application forms.

The Buckinghamshire Primary PRU is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. References will be sought, and an enhanced DBS check and an online profile search will be carried out for shortlisted candidates.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).
It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. All shortlisted applicants will be required to complete self-disclosure form and return prior to interview.